The day before, I was able to do a long hike, covering both elevation and distance. But this morning, the plan was to walk a certain distance near home before the forecasted rain arrived. I walked along a road to a short looping trail. I kept my pace while listening to the birds that had no plans of going south for the winter. they were too far to take the camera out for, but there was a picture to be had around the loop. Not of wildlife, but of the fall colours I was seeing in the cattail leaves. I slowed down to look at the leaves at different stages of fall colours, my eyes searching for the picture I wanted to take. I continued walking, thinking about what I saw and how I wanted the picture to look. On my second walk around the loop, I slowed down even more, considering what the background would look like. The picture was starting to take shape. But I was determined to cover a certain distance that morning, so a third walk around the loop was needed. Now two pictures were coming to mind from this one small area with cattail plants. During the final lap, I stopped and put my pack on the ground. Out came the camera, and I zoomed in to take a picture of a small section of the leaves standing in the calm air. But it was the second picture that ended up being my favourite that morning: the cattail flower surrounded by summer-green leaves, with the background green broken up by out-of-focus fall-colored cattail leaves.
Larch Trees
During the last few hikes I have been enjoying the fall colours of the larch trees, one of the few coniferous trees that change colour and lose their needles in the fall. To save nutrients for later, the plant turn colour in the fall as the days get shorter and the temperatures started cooling. The part in the needles that photosynthesize or another way to put it, create sugars from carbon dioxide, water and sunlight. Starts to break up and the chemicals get stored in the tree. At this time the needles become beautiful golden yellow. This fall with the added bonus of few early snowfalls in the mountains, the larch trees were sparking under the sun.
Prickly Wild Rose
More and more flowers are coming out, colour is showing up all over the place. In the last few days the prickly wild roses started to bloom. It's a good time to be out there as a nature photographer, landscapes, wildlife and flora is available as subjects.
Red Paintbrush
Making an effort to spend more time looking at and taking pictures of wild flowers. Paintbrushes are out and can be seen at many areas in the mountains and more to come as weather gets warmer. Right now this flower is bringing colour to the floor of the valley and then will be found in the meadows at higher elevations.
Spruce Tree
It was few hours after a snow storm had passed on. I was looking to see if I could spot a tree isolated from others and covered with snow. I found it and then it was matter of composing the image.
Until next moment,
Amar
Red Paintbrush
The paintbrushes are starting to show their colours in the mountains. Finding them in the valley and as warm weather contuines, they will be found higher up in the meadows. This one was spotted while visiting north part of Banff NP.
Until next moment,
Amar
Pussy Willow
I was taking pictures of birds or trying to, when I came across these beautiful willow flowers. Took their pictures and went back at tracking birds.
Until next moment,
Amar
Cattails
The other morning I came across cattails, and just liked the way the sunlight was having a effect on them as they swayed with the wind. With the sunlight coming in from the opposite direction, I moved from side to side until I got the composition I liked. Got few keepers.
Until next moment,
Amar
Buffaloberries
Small shrubs with bitter tasting berries. A favorite of bears, helps them to maintain fat stores during hibernation. A adult bear can eat upto 200,000 berries a day, this season there is plenty to go around for all the bears.
Until next moment,
Amar
Fireweed
A avalanche prone area of Vermilion Peak was showing lot of colour in the form of fireweeds, surrounded by trees that were part of a 2003 wildfire. I was across the valley taking pictures of the area from far, as the sun was making its way down. Looking through the camera, composing what I though would make for an interesting picture.
Until next moment,
Amar
Red Paintbrush
Colours are everywhere and paintbrush seems to be everywhere as well. Was on a side of mountain with a blanket of colours, took my time capturing as much as possible with the camera. All that rain earlier and all the sunshine now is paying off. Looking forward to my next outing.
Until next moment,
Amar
Brown-eyed Susans
Flowers, flowers and more flowers, everywhere I go. Taking advantage of our short flower season, can't help taking pictures of them when I come aross them. They add smiles to the landscape.
Until next moment,
Amar
Elephant's Head Lousewort
Always fun to take pictures of flowers, a chance to play with colours. I was walking along Bow Lake when I came across Elephant's Head Lousewort flower. It stood out as it was, but I thought I could make it pop by separating it from the back ground. Camera in hand, I walked back and forth until I got what I wanted.
Until next moment,
Amar
Glacier Lilies
The glacier lilies were out in abundance, these perennial wildflowers are small but beautiful to look at and fun to take pictures of. Located them near a subalpine mountain meadows, I just needed to decide which one to take pictures of. I was looking for one or two that stood out from their surroundings. Once I located a pair, got low to the ground, on all four and took the pictures. Happy with the pictures I stood up, not knowing I had startled nearby hikers. They thought I was a bear, who was eating one of its favorite food, the glacier lilies. Once recognizing me, they laughed and kept walking.
Until next moment,
Amar
Wood Lily
The wood lilies are out, a beautiful red flower. Had to pay a price getting the pictures, in a form of mosquitoes. Have to spray myself before I get more pictures, I have seen more lilies then normal. Perhaps all the rain we have received is playing a role.
Until next moment,
Amar
Calypso Orchid
I have been seeing this beautiful flower, calypso orchid, along the hiking trails in montane forests. Sometimes one or two, in other cases 40 to 50 in a bunch. To have this small, 10 to 14 cm in height orchid stand out in a picture, you have to get on the ground and get the lens close to the flower to fill the frame. Bringing out the pinkish-purple colour.
Until next moment,
Amar
Juniper
It was overcast day and I thought it would be fun to take pictures of juniper branch with berries. I wanted close-up and wanted only parts of the branch in focus. Got on my knees and started to move around the branch while varying the background until I was happy with what I was seeing on the LCD of the camera.
Until next moment,
Amar
Pussy Wilow
Another sign of spring is sighting of pussy willow on the willow shrubs. Just sighting them is not enough, wanted to photograph them. I wanted to make sure the background colour helped the subject stand out. I moved around until there were ever green trees in the background, having just the right space to give me an olive green colour, then I took the pictures.
Until next moment,
Amar